Some little fish are more dangerous to divers and swimmers than sharks
Some tiny, harmless looking creatures at the sea are more hazardous than big, ugly looking ones.
One type of these beautiful but poisonous fish are called the Lion-fish. Being of the Scorpion fish family, this brightly colored fish is usually found in coral reefs at the red sea.
Lion-fish’s danger is the poison it holds under the skin near by each of its 13 spines. It uses the spines to subdue its enemies. Anyone touching the spines will feel a deep sharp pain and the effected area will swallow and infect rapidly.
Some swimmers and divers may think they can hold these beautiful creatures in hand but that is not recommended.
By holding the creature in hand you trigger its self-defense mechanism. This type of fish moves quite slowly in the waters and it is a very easy catch for hunters. This seems to be the reason for developing such lethal and painful self-defense system.
It is said that the wound caused by Lion-fish lasts about 30 hours. The sting causes nausea, paralysis, convulsions, and even collapse. Victims have also reported breathing difficulties.
Despite believes that this type of fish only attacks in self-defence, some incidents of uncalled for attacks on humans have been recorded occasionally. Obviously, just like many other fish, Lionfish normally attacks when it feels it is in danger.
Most attacks on swimmers and divers by Lionfish have been seen in the gulf of Aqba, while in other areas this fish has shown mostly a peaceful nature.
